Third Set of Iridium® NEXT Satellites Arrive in Orbit and Provide Telemetry

Iridium Communications announced today that the third set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, launched Monday by SpaceX, are functioning nominally and have begun the testing and validation process. This batch of 10 satellites was launched out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, increasing the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in space to 30.

“Since Monday’s success, all things are pointing positive,” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer at Iridium. “The team at the Satellite Network Operations Center (SNOC) is ready and has already been working around the clock since their deployment Monday. Unlike previous launches, where some satellites were sent drifting to their operational orbital plane, all 10 satellites from this launch will go directly into operation once testing is completed. This phase of satellite maneuvers and testing is where the Iridium satellite network operations teams truly shine.”

Now, and for approximately the next 45 days, these newly launched satellites will undergo a series of testing and validation procedures, ensuring they are ready for integration with the operational constellation. Once testing is completed, Iridium will also hand over control of Aireon’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast hosted payload, to the team at Aireon’s Hosted Payload Operations Center (HPOC), also in Leesburg, Va.

For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.

Falcon 9 Rocket is Vertical at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Ready for Third Iridium® NEXT Launch

What:Iridium Communications, in partnership with SpaceX, is prepared to launch its third set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites tomorrow, October 9th, on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The full payload and rocket have been transported to the launch pad, and the rocket is vertical for launch. Once deployed, there will be a total of 30 Iridium NEXT satellites in low Earth orbit.

Iridium NEXT is the company’s $3 billion, next-generation, mobile, global satellite network scheduled for completion in 2018. Iridium NEXT will replace the Company’s existing global constellation in one of the largest technology upgrades ever completed in space. It represents the evolution of critical communications infrastructure that governments and organizations worldwide rely upon to drive business, enable connectivity, empower disaster relief efforts and more. Iridium NEXT will enable and introduce new services like the Company’s next-generation communications platform, Iridium CertusSM, and the AireonSM space-based ADS-B aircraft surveillance and flight tracking network. The Iridium NEXT satellites are manufactured by Thales Alenia Space and assembled by its subcontractor, Orbital ATK, at its facility in Gilbert, Arizona.

When:Launch is Scheduled for Monday, October 9th at 5:37a.m. PDT / 12:37 p.m. UTC

Who: Iridium Communications and SpaceX

Where:Vandenberg Air Force Base, California – SpaceX launch site

A live feed of the launch will be available starting twenty minutes prior to launch at: www.spacex.com/webcast

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